Page 119 of Curse the Fae

“Immortal wild. Immortal land. Dwellers of the mountain, forest, and river. You are born of eternal nature—of the wind, earth, and water. Yet that which is everlasting is not unbreakable. And should you wither by the hands of others, look not merely to sacrifice, for another path to restoration lies in wait. Therefore, follow your Fables, heed your neighbors, and look closer.”

From there, she summarizes the rest. That their group hopes to translate the passage’s meaning and yield a solution to the Solitaries’ plight. That the solution could be a spark, the beginning of peace between mortals and humans.

Because of circumstances having to do with Lark winning her game, Cerulean has transferred his rule to the mountain fauna, who are just as equipped for the role. Cerulean’s no longer in charge there, but he’s maintained his influence with the animals and a handful of former subjects who haven’t snubbed him.

As for Puck, he still rules the woodland. As such, the satyr, Juniper, Lark, and Cerulean have been taking precautions, recruiting alliances and support from the Solitaries who have adopted the cause.

Because Elixir reigns over the river, the group had intended to approach him about this endeavor. They’d been meeting to discuss when and how, considering it’s no secret Elixir relies on his power and authority. As the only member of The Three who’d yet to experience a change of heart, and as the least likely Fae to relinquish his thirst for vengeance, the group had anticipated a dangerous response from him. And amid my game, they couldn’t move recklessly.

“Until you replied to our message, we weren’t sure what we’d be dealing with,” Juniper explains.

At this, Elixir breaks from his stupor. His attention strays toward where I sit with my arms strapped around my upturned limbs. Awareness and hurt converge across his countenance, pulling his features taut. I’d made a choice and acted despite our attachment, and I hadn’t shared this with him.

I hadn’t known where we stood, not with everything that divides us. I couldn’t place full stock that our bond would endure despite whatever came to pass.

Besides, if my sisters call out to me, I’m going to answer no matter what.

This, Elixir comprehends. Understanding infuses his irises, and those orbs anchor upon the ground, at the grassy center of our band. A muscle ticks in his jaw, though not for long.

I know what the rigidness of his profile means. My sister is asking him to betray his subjects by aligning himself with mortals, as well as the two leaders who’ve already been shunned by their own lots. Elixir would be turning his back on the river Fae who idolize his silent strength, aspire to his fluid brutality, and follow his example.

Thus, Elixir’s not hesitating to join so much as contemplating how his kin will react—and how fatal the result will be for us. His subjects will feel disillusioned at best, lethal at worst.

“I shall join you,” he says, much to the others’ shock.

Juniper balks, “You accept?”

“I do. Though, I offer fealty of my own volition, not as compensation for misdeeds.”

“Well. Agreed, then. As for additional retribution, your apology is enough, so long as my sister vouches for you.”

While glancing at Elixir, I say, “You have my word.” Then I reach out and clasp hers and Lark’s hands. “And my loyalty. Always.”

When we sit back, Juniper extends her hand toward Elixir. “Allies.”

Elixir must detect her movements and the nearness of her voice, because he reaches out to locate her fingers. They shake. Faeries rarely use this custom to seal bargains, so he’s awkward about it, his brows crinkling.

However, the awkwardness gives way to a deeper frown. While touching my sister, Elixir senses something and freezes mid-handshake. His startled eyes leap about in concentration, his head tilts in consternation, and his ears perk…listening. It happens too fast to react, like a knife slipping off a counter. Those gilded irises flash, and Puck and Cerulean jolt forward at lightning speed, each of them about to knock Elixir from Juniper before she ends up blind.

Lark and I shift, ready to fling ourselves in front of our sister. Yet Elixir remembers himself swiftly, the vibrancy dulling from his gaze enough that Juniper merely winces. It had been a reflex. His brothers pause, though only marginally, whereas Elixir drops Juniper’s fingers as though he’s been scalded with an iron poker.

“Elixir, what the everlasting fuck?” Puck snarls while harnessing Juniper to his side.

“It’s all right,” she assures him. “I’m fine.”

Lark dumps herself back onto the ground. “Then what the hell was that?”

Cerulean is quiet, monitoring his brother alongside me. Elixir looks visibly shaken, as if stumbling through foreign terrain, as though beholding something in his mind.

But he shakes himself. “Nothing,” he stammers. “It was nothing.”

It wasn’t nothing. But if anyone knows Elixir, they know not to waste their breath prying. He won’t answer until he’s ready to.

“It happens to me often,” I say, to placate everyone. “I go into a trance, and sometimes it’s hard to pull away. Or a sudden thought comes to me, and I react absently.”

It’s hardly convincing, and although Puck still looks as if he’d like to decapitate Elixir, my words do soothe everyone’s nerves. Whatever just occurred, it’s over for now.

The promontory glitters with a tapestry of teal specks, and the rapids below hasten, the current accelerating. An indistinct floral fragrance mingles with the muggy heat. The foundation trembles, the barest rustle of movement, like a shifting blanket.

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